Originally posted on November 20, 2013 by Eve Bernfeld at www.evebernfeld.com/blog.html.
I guess people perceive me as the Posture Police, because they are often saying things to me like: “At the end of the day/at the end of a long trip/when I get off work/[fill in the blank] I’m just too tired to sit up. I try, but I can’t. All I can do is just collapse into the couch. I wish I could stay upright like you.” This may be said sheepishly with a look of apology, or it may be said in a challenging way, the implication being the speaker’s life is so much more tiring than mine. Today I officially respond to both types of people: “You think I’m never too tired to sit up straight? Ha! Why do you think I didn’t post a blog last week?”
I do, however, have a different suggestion for how to deal with this situation. It isn’t collapsing into the comforting cushions of the couch. I really can’t think of a time when I would advocate collapse. I like to allow my joints and organs to have sufficient space to operate at all times. No, my solution is quite simple. In the words of a pupil who recently came to her lesson very excited because she had just had this revelation: “If I’m too tired to sit up, I need to lie down!” Yes! Sometimes you just need to hit the deck.